Support for



Feb. 13, 1940. L. RAAB SUPPORT FOR x-RAY WORK Filed May 2, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I SUPPORT FOR X-RAY WORK 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2, 19-38 m mm m 9. g i A El 5 fi Q 1 w i .& w a QYR on 3 b. m2 m\m INVENTOR [.EONHARD RAAB BY Wk I a ATTORNEYS law- Feb. 13, 1940 L, RAAB SUPPORT FOR x-RAY WORK Filed May 2, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 mvamoa b LEONHARD RA 5 ATTORNEYS Feb. 13, 1940. L. RAAB SUPPORT FOR X -RAY WORK Filed May 2, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 W i 4 Q 6 h N w flu mu F E. mam v 8 9 8 N s w .[flfinwn .0 @N E IIUHW .IU M 0N irrv W H a 5 5 -n 3 mm mm 5 a m wm INVENTOR LEONHAED PAA ATTORNEYS Feb. I L. RAAB SUPPORT FOR X-RAY WORK Filed May 2, 1938 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Q hm n m 'g a o I0 0N F 'H I m I 3 up 9 O F ii f w: m

INVENTOR. [EONHARD RAAB ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 13, 1940.

UNITED stares PATENT OFFICE.

SUPPORT FOR X-RAY WORK Leonhard Raab, Erlangen, Germany, assignor to the firm Sicmens-Reiniger-Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin, Germany v Application May 2, 1938, Serial No. 205,547

In Germany May 3, 1937' 13 Claims. (Cl. 25057) This invention relates to a support for X-ray work; and refers more particularly to an implement for producing images or photographsof different layers or organs of a body by means of X-rays.

In prior art, various devices and implements were constructed which movably supported the source of the X-rays, constituted by the focal point of .an X-ray tube, and the surface of the rimage, represented by a screen or a box containing a photographic plate. The construction of these devices is such .that although the X-ray source and the image'surface'are made movable, each X-ray leaving its source is caused'to strike the same point of theimage surface.

patient and his'organs may be conveniently and easily photo-graphed or illuminated in all possible positions, such as the standing, reclining, or

inclined positions. a I v A drawback of prior art constructions was the difiiculty of quickly and readily adjusting the tube-supporting device. ltis, therefore, another object of the present invent-lento provide a de- .viceor implement all the-movable parts of which .can be easily shifted to any desired positions, the

weights of these parts being comparatively easily balanced'in all such positions. I

' A further object is the provision of a device of the described type, the construction of which renders it extremely stable and thus affords great convenience in operation. I I

. A still further object is the provision of a device of the described type which is so constructed that the patient can be easily and conveniently handled.v while he is being examined.

Other objects of the present invention will be apparent in the course of the following specification.

The objects of the present invention may be realized through the use of a construction cornv prising at least two holding and supporting de- 1' vices, which may be coupled one with the other and which may be shifted relativelyto each other. One of these devices includes a guiding surf;ace, ;or rails, forthe casing containing. the

layers;

image surface, while the other one of these devices comprises rails' or guides for the Xeray source, the two guiding means being p'ivotally disposed in such manner that they may be swung from a horizontal to a vertical position.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

showing by wayof example a preferred'embodimerit of the inventive idea. 1 I

In the drawings:

- Figure 1 shows in side elevation a device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the support of the X-ray source being shown in. a position in which the' X-rays are directed substantially horizontally for the purpose of illuminating vertical bodies or Figure 2 is a plan v iewof the device'shown in Figure 1, along the line Ill-II of Figure 1. t

Figure 3 is a side view oi the device in aposition in which the X-rays are directed vertically for the purpose of illuminating horizontal'layers or bodies; 1

Figure 4 is a plan View of the device shown in Figure 3, along the line IV-IVIof Figure 3; 7

Figures 5, 6, and 7 are diagrams showing separately in side elevation and in three different positions: the carriage for the X-ray tube, the columns suporting the same and the'weightebala ancing device; and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic rear view of the carriage for the image surface. l

The apparatus shown. in the drawings comprises two interconnected supporting devices, one";

of. which is used as a carrier for the image suriac'e l while the other one carries the X-ray tube l3.

As already mentioned, the image surface 4 may be constituted by a screen, a photographic plate or the like.

' As'shown in Figures 1 and 3,, the. device which is used as a support for the image surface 4, has

I the form of a gate and comprises two columns'l and 2, the lower ends of which fit into the sleeves. 5d of a carrier or bracket 5|,the legs 54 of which are situated upon the floor or the ground surface. A carriage 3 is provided with sleeves 52 which embrace the columns I and 2 so that the carriage '13 maybe shifted in vertical planes upon the columns. The carriage 3 is connected by cables 62 to pulleys 453 which are rotatably mounted in an 7 upper bracket 83 carried by the columns I and 2.

A vertical disc 9 is rotatably mounted in a suitably shaped opening 53provided in the carriage 3. The disc 9 is connected with an arm (Figures 2 and 8) which carries a horizontal pivot I I. A member 56 mounted upon the pivot II carries a vertical pivot I4. A rod I2 is mounted intermediate its ends upon the pivot I4. Due to this arrangement the rod I2 which serves as a connection with the X-ray tube support may swing both vertically and horizontally.

The disc 9 is provided with a longitudinal slot 39 (Figure 8) through which a connecting rod or axle 5 extends. One end of the axle 5 is connected by means of the pivot 5'! with one end of the rod I2 (Figure 2) while the opposite end of the axle 5 carries a casing 8, which contains the image surface 4. The axle 5 is movable within the slot 39.

The casing 8 is provided withwheel's 58'whioh are guided along a pair of horizontal rails It,

so that the image surface 4 can be shifted in the.

direction of the axle 5. a The rails I0 are firmly connected with a carriage 7, which is provided with wheels 59. The wheels 59 of the carriage I are guided along another pair .of rails 6, which are carried by a tube I 9 (Figure l).

Since the carriage I rides upon the railst, the image surface 4 may be shifted in the direction of its plane. At the same time, the image surface 4 may be rotated about the central axis of the axle 5, due to the fact that the arm "55 (Figure 2) which pivotally supports the rod I2,

is rotatable along with disc 9, so that the casing 8 of the image surface rotates along with the disc. The casing 8 may be shifted in directions parallel to the image surface l in'each position of the disc 9.

The weight of the casing 3 for the image surface 6 is balanced by means of a spring arrangement, which is shown more clearly in Figure 8 of the drawings and which comprises two springs 36 having adjacent ends which are attached to a plate 10 which is connected by a bolt II with the carriage 3. Two levers 31 are pivotally mounted at I2 upon the carriage 3. The opposite end of the levers 3'! are connected with the rollers 13 which form a support for the horizontal arm of the guiding rod'38 which has the form "of'a T. The vertical arm of the guiding rod 38 is positioned within the rollers M of the member 15. The member 15 is firmly connected to the carriage 3. On the upper surface of the horizontal arm of the guiding rod 38 a U-shaped =1 member I6 is fastened. A wheel I! is pivotally positioned within the member 16 and forms a support for the axle 5. Due to this arrangement the axle 5 is free to move horizontally over the downwardly at the point of support of the wheel '16 causing the horizontal arm of the guiding rod 38 to spread the levers 31. Due to the pivotal arrangement of the levers 31 any downward thrust of the upper ends is met with a counterbalancing action of the lower ends which are the X-ray tube I3. I

- one end which is situated within the sleeve I 9 J A rod I! which may be a telescoping one, has

and is movable within that sleeve, whileits opposite end is connected with themember 26 of the X-ray supporting device.

Thus the rods I2 and Il serve as connections The weight of the casing 8 which is connected to one end of the axle-5 is directed between the X-ray'tube supporting device and the image supporting device and assure that the guide surfaces for the X-ray tube and the image surface are always guided or shifted parallel to each other.

The supporting device for the X-ray tube I3 comprises two carriages 2i and 22, which are movable relatively to the columns I and 2 upon the rails and 6|, respectively (Figures 2 and Two guides 58 are used for the purpose of I guiding the X-ray tube. The lower ends of the 2% mounted upon the column 23.

The upper ends of the guides I8 may be inter connected by a member carrying a pivot 21 by means of which the upper ends of the guides I 8 are connected to a sleeve 66 mounted upon the.

column 25.

Due to this arrangement, the guides I8 may be shifted vertically along the columns 23 and.,25 1

by means of the sleeves 24 and 66. I

As already mentioned, the joint I6 (FigureZ) connects the rod which passes through the carriage 30. The carriage 36' has a sleeve 30 which'encloses one of the guides I8, while another portion'of thecarriage engages the other one of the guides I8.

Due to this arrangement, the X-raytube I3,

which is attached at 8| to the shaft or carrier i5, is shiftable along the guides I8. 1

The connecting member 2!] which carries one I2. with the tube-carrier 15- As shown more clearly in 'Figures'5, 6, and 7, v

the guides I8 and the carriage 30' are balanced by two counterweights 28 and 29 which are con- 35. The opposite end of the cable which is con- Y nected to the weight 29 passes over a pulley'32 which is rotatably mounted at the upper end of the column 23. I

The arrangement used for illuminating standing bodies is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. In that position the movable columns 23 and 25 are situated at a distance from the columns I and 2 and substantially close to each other. The rods I2 and II'extend horizontally while the rails 5 extend vertically. The-guides".

it) also extend vertically with the result that both the image surface 4 and the 'Xray tube I3 are situated in parallel vertical planes.

As shown in Figure 1, the connectingrodWZ may swing easily aroundthe pivot I I. Y The two? extreme positions which the rod I2 can assume are indicated by broken lines in Figure 1 and designated by the numeral I2. In these positions, it is possible to illuminate or photograph a body or organ extending in an oblique. or in-' clined position. swing about the pivot I 4, thereby shifting the 7 Furthermore, the rod I2 "can' X-ray tube I3 in the direction of its supporting,

shaft l5.

It-is comparatively easy to swing-the-"X-ray -"m tube from the position'in which the main direc "tion of the X-rays is aho-rizontal one and which is shown inFigures 1,32 and 'l, to a positionin which the main direction of the X-rays is a.

vertical one (Figures 3, 4, and 5), andvice versa.

I-n orderto shift the device from the position shown in Figure l, for the purpose ofilluminating H a reclining body, the carriage 2| is moved away from the carriage 22, so that the two columns 25 and 23 are separated. The sleeve 24 is shifted upward uponthec'olumn 23 until gradually the guides I8 aremoved from thevertical position shown in Figure l to thehorizontal position shown in Figure 3.

The X-ray tube I3 'is also moved'upwardly, since the tube is connected by theshaft' I5 with the carriage 30, the sleeve 30 of which encloses one of the guides I8. At the same tim'a'the connecting rod I2 is also shifted upwardly thereby rotating the disc 9. The con-. "nect'ing rod I1 is also'shifted to a vertical position while" the rails 6 are'caused to extend horizontally. As shown in Figure 3. a table 80 for the patient,

maybe placed directly above the image surface 4 andbelow the X-ray tube I3;

The'connecting rod' IZ may swing around the pivot I I and assume extreme positions which are shown by broken lines and indicated by" the numeral I2 in Figure 3.

It is particularly advantageous that theplane of the columns I and 2, which is parallel to' the plane of the disc 9, isalso parallel to the main direction of the X-rays, which is indicated by .the'numeral lIlinFigure 2. Due to this arrangement, itis possible to hold the image surface on. one side only, fandin such manner that the operator can easily reach the patient from all sides and that the'patient can be easily placed into any position which is desiredjior examination purposes. l

, By means of the described construction, a guided centering of the X-ray source and the image surface is'achie'ved, and the weight of all the swinging and movable parts is balanced in all positions, while the distance between the X-ray tube and the image surface may be changed at will.

It, is apparent that the specific, illustration shown above has been given by way of illustration and not'by way of limitation, and that the structures above described are subject to wide variation and modification without departfing 'from the'scope or intent of the invention,

all of which variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is: I l. A support for X-ray work, comprising at least two separate supporting deviceswhich are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube,

"an image surface, one of said supportingdevices cornprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-raytube upon said guiding means,

and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing from other guiding means, and means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said other guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa;

and means interconnecting the two guiding means to cause a proportional movementof the and means coupling thetwo guiding means for two guiding means in opposite directions when least two separatesupporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube, an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing iromi-l-O ahorizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; the other one of said supporting devices comprising other guiding means, means i slidably supporting the image surface upon said other guiding means, and means swingably sup- 15 porting said otherguiding means to enable said other guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa;

maintaining said X-ray tube at a predetermined distance from said image surface in the course of the movements of the two coupled guiding means. v

3. A supportfor X-ray work, comprising at,

least two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube, an imagesurface, one of saidsupporting devices comprising guiding means, meansslidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, and means swingably supporting said guidin means to enable said guiding means toswing from a horizontal position to a verticalposition and vice versa; the other one'of said supporting devices comprising other guiding meana means slidably supporting the image surface upon said other guiding means, and means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said other guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; means interconnecting the two guiding means to cause a proportional movement of the two guiding means in opposite directions when one of the two guiding means is moved, and weight-balancing means connected with the two guiding means. I

4; A support for X-ray work, comprising at least two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube,

' an image surface, one of said supporting devices porting devices comprising other guiding means,

means slidably supporting the image surface upon said. other guiding means, and means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said other guiding means to swing from" a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; and adjustable means interconnecting the two guiding means for maintaining said X-ray' tube at an adjustable distance from said image surface. 5. A support for X-ray work, comprising at least two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube,

an image surface, one of said supportingidevices comprising guiding means, means slidably sup porting the Xray tube upon said. guiding means, and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing from v ahorizontal position to a vertical position and vice I versa, to enable a shifting of the direction-of the X-rays of said X-ray tube from a horizontal one to a vertical one and vice versa; the

' other one of said supporting devices comprising horizontal guiding means, means slidably supporting the image surface upon said horizontal guiding means to enable the image surface to slide horizontally in a direction parallel to the image surface along these horizontal guiding means, means swingably supporting these horizontal guiding means to enable them to swing from a horizontal position to a Vertical position and vice versa, and a carriage movable in a vertical direction and, carrying the supporting means of the other one of said supporting devices; and means interconnecting the two guiding 'means to causea proportional movement of the two guiding means in opposite directions 'when one of the two guiding means is moved.

6. A support for X-ray work, comprising at least two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube, an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means,

and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; the other one of said supporting devices comprising'other guiding means, means slidably supporting the image surface upon said other guiding means, and means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said' other guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; and a telescoping rod coupling the two guiding means for maintaining said X-ray tubeat a predetermined distance from said image surface in the course of the movements of the two coupled guiding means. v

7. A support for X-ray work, comprising at least two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube, an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa, and a movable column carrying these supporting means; the other one of said supporting devices comprising other guiding means, means slidably supporting the image surface uponsaid other guiding means, means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said other guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to avertical position and vice versa, and a support for the image-surface supporting means; and means interconnecting the two guiding means to cause a proportional movement of the two guiding means in opposite directions when one of the two guiding means is moved.

8. A support for X-ray work, comprisingat least two separate supporting devices which are novable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube,

an image surface, one of said supportingdevices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa, and two columns, the supporting means being connected with said columns and being movable relatively to at least one of said ,columns; the other one of said supporting devices versa, two columns, the supporting meansl being tions when one of the two comprising other guiding means, means slidably supporting 'the image surface upon said other guiding means, and means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said %other' guidingmeans to swing from a horizontalpposie 55 tion to a vertical position and vicerversay and means interconnecting the two guiding means tocause a proportional movement of the two guid ing means in opposite directions when one of the two guiding means is moved.

9. A support for X-ray work comprising at least two separate supporting devices whichyare movable relatively to each other; an X ray tube, an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidablysupto enable said guiding means to swing from a.

horizontal position to a vertical position and .vice

connected with these columns, two counterweights, means connecting: these counterweightswith the supporting means; the other one of said v supporting devices comprising other guiding means, means slidably supporting the imagesurface upon said other guiding means, andyme'ans. swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said other guiding means to swing from r a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; and means interconnecting the'two -3 guiding means to cause, a proportional movement of the two guiding means in opposite direcguiding means is" moved. w; v I 10. A support for X-ray, work, comprising ,at least two separate supporting-devices which are movable relatively to each otherfan .X-ray tube,

an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably sup porting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, and means swingably supportingsaid guidingmeans toenable said guidingmeans to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; the other one of said supporting devices comprising other guiding means, meansz 5.

slidably supporting the image surface upon said other guiding means, a carriage swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said a other guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa', and

resilient weight-balancing means carried by Said carriage and connected with saidother guiding means; and means coupling the guiding means of the two devices for maintaining said X-ray' tube at a predetermined distance from said image v surface in the course of the movement of the, two coupled guiding means. I

11. A support for X-ray'work, comprising at least two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tubeH" an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, I and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to SWillg f-" from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; the other one of said supporting devices comprising a rotatabledisc, means car ried by said rotatable disc and supporting said image surface to enable it to move in a-directi'onrjm parallel to the image surface, a carriage swingably supporting said rotatable disc to enable it to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa, and a gate-like sup- 1 1: port carrying said carriage, to enable it to move- 17 movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube,

an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means toswing from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the other one of said supporting devices comprising a carriage, means movably supporting said car-- riage, a rotatable disc within said carriage, said disc having a slot formed therein, means supporting said image surface and extending through said slot; and means connecting the guiding means of the first supporting device with the means supporting said image surface. 13. A support for X-ray work, comprising at least 'two separate supporting devices which are movable relatively to each other; an X-ray tube,

an image surface, one of said supporting devices comprising guiding means, means slidably supporting the X-ray tube upon said guiding means, and means swingably supporting said guiding means to enable said guiding means to swing from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa; the other one of said supporting devices comprising other guiding means, means slidably supporting the image s'urfaceupon said other guiding means, means swingably supporting said other guiding means to enable said other guiding meansto swing from a horizontal position to a Vertical position and vice versa, and a support carrying these supporting means and extending in a plane parallel to the main direction of the X-rays; and means interconnecting the two guiding means to cause a proportional movement of the two guiding means in opposite directions when one of the two guiding means is moved. 

